419 scam: Microsoft Award Team <microsoft@info.com> AWARD NOTIFICATION!!!!

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million british pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "scholesaroy@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: Microsoft Award Team <microsoft@info.com>
Reply-To: scholesaroy@live.com
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:03:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION!!!!

Microsoft Award Team, MICR0SOFT LONDON (CARDINAL PLACE) 100 VICTORIA STREET LONDON SW1E 5JL Batch: 78536MT Dear, WINNING NOTIFICATION We happily announce to you the draw of the Microsoft International programs held on last month Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 00873282727499 with Serial numbers MDB/002 0869958/09 and drew the Lucky winning numbers 19-45-87-36-76-38(77), which subsequently won you the lottery in your category. You have therefore been approved to Claim a total sum of BP £ 750,000.00{SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY BRITISH POUNDS ONLY} in cash credited to file REF NO. : MDB/929/09. This is from a total cash prize of GBP £4,000,000.00 (FOUR MILLION BRITISH POUNDS STERLING) All participants were selected randomly from Worldwide Web site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 email addresses of companies and Individuals. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your fund as soon as you contact him. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised on final notice and as a matter of urgency, to contact our licensed and accredited Claim agent, for the Processing of your prize awards winning and payment to your designated bank account after all statutory Obligations have been concluded satisfactorily. To file for your claim, Please Contact your fiduciary agent: NAME; MR. AROY SCHOLES E-MAIL: scholesaroy@live.com You are advised to contact your fiduciary agent with the following details to avoid unnecessary delays and complications: 1. Your full names…………………………………………………………………………….. 2. Sex……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3. Your address……………………………………………………………………………...... 4. Your country…………………………………………………………………………………. 5. Nationality…………………………………………………………………………………….. 6. Your fax…………………………………………………………………………………………. 7. Home phone number……………………………………………………………………… 8. Mobile phone number……………………………………………………………………. 9. Occupation……………………………………………………………………………………… 10. Your age………………………………………………………………………………………. 11. Your ref: number…………………………………………………………………................ 12. Your lucky winning number…………………………………………………................... 13. Serial numbers…………………………………………………………………………………. For the purpose of confidentiality, be advised not to disclose your winning details to the public until your claim has been processed and your prize money remitted to your designated bank account. This is part of precautionary measures to avoid double claim or misuse of this program by some social miscreants. Sincerely, Dr. Jennifer McMahon (Microsoft Promotion director) ©2010 Microsoft Corporation

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam